Minneota/Lincoln

even state champions were crowned last weekend as the Minnesota State High School League hosted its final Prep Bowl at the Metrodome. For seven teams, getting to hoist a championship trophy last weekend made the extra weightlifting and work over the summer worth it. Over the course of 13 or 14 weeks, teammates became best friends as they all drove toward a common goal: Getting to the Metrodome for the Prep Bowl and winning it.

Chatfield’s defense came up big when it mattered most. A group of Gophers stopped Austin Buysse just shy of the goal line on the opening play of the fourth quarter and Chatfield went on to beat Minneota/Lincoln HI 17-7 Friday in the Class 2A Championship game at the Prep Bowl.

It’s what every kid who has ever put on a football uniform dreams of: Playing at the Metrodome the weekend after Thanksgiving for a state championship. Between Friday and Saturday, 14 teams will play for titles and seven will finish their seasons as state champions.